Ladies and Gentlemen... I'm about to show you... the worst picture ever taken of me, in the history of... forever! Why? Because I have no shame. (apparently)
But first, a little history. Did I ever tell you that I missed my younger son's birth? Oh, but some of you would reply to that, "What's the big deal about that? You adopted him, of course you missed his birth." Well, what if I told you that Marshall was there when Seamus was born and even cut the cord. Ah-hah! Got you curious, huh?
You wanna know why I missed his birth and Marshall didn't? Because four days before Seamus' birthmom was scheduled to be induced... I GOT THE CHICKEN POX. Yes I did. At age 29. Oh, I didn't know I could catch them. Because when I was 9, my parents sent me over to my friend's house to spend the night because she had the chicken pox. (and they wanted me to get them) They didn't really see any pox on me afterwards, but they knew I was exposed, so they figured I must have had some mild case that they didn't see. My dad's a doctor and my mom's a nurse. They know about these things. And they both believed they did their part to expose me. End of story right? Apparently not.
I never did find out who I got the chicken pox from. My doctor says it's so contagious I could get it from some old guy with shingles, one aisle over from me at the grocery store. All I know is that I could not believe I was gonna have to miss Seamus' birth. And I was devastated. For about a day. And then I was no longer upset I was going to miss his birth. Because I just wanted to die. You hear how painful shingles are right? Well, when you get chicken pox as an adult, it's all over your body like chicken pox is, but each pox is as painful as shingles. I had them everywhere. On the top of my head, bottom of my feet, in my mouth, and even where the sun doesn't shine... Oh yes. Painful. Now you get why I wanted to die, right?
So there you go. That's why I missed Seamus' birth but Marshall was there. I was his long distance correspondent... waiting by the phone for news. Too uncomfortable to be wearing undergarments of any kind.
The picture you're about to see shows me at the very end of the chicken pox. Many of them had healed. I'm also not wearing any makeup, or my contacts. Which means I'm wearing my coke-bottle glasses. And I'm wearing pajamas (with no undergarments). And I'm a LOT heavier. Cause 7 miscarriages in a row aren't kind on the waistband.
So... if you're brave or curious... and you wanna see the MOST unflattering picture ever taken of me in the history of the world (so far), scroll down...
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**WAIT** Are you sure you want to see this? Because you still have the option of backing out. You can click off this website and you don't have to see this picture if you don't want to. Oh, you still wanna see it? Ok. Scroll down.....
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**STOP** Are you positive you wanna see this? Because you can't un-see what you're about to see. Once you see this... I can't alter time. This image may or may not be burned in your memories forever. What? You still want to? Ok. Scroll down....
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I'm not responsible for any adverse reactions. Just saying. (Keep Scrolling Down)
**Quick** Distract the kids! They really shouldn't see this. (Keep Scrolling Down)
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Ok, don't say I didn't warn you. Cause I did. Lots of times. I am not responsible for any possible side effects that may have occurred by showing you this picture.
You are too funny :) Stupid chicken pox!!! I was distracted by the adorable newborn in the photo...so your pox didn't phase me ;)
ReplyDeleteoh my goodness, I am so sorry you got shingles... so that makes me ask a question... did you give your kiddos the chicken pox vaccine? I did... and so they aren't supposed to get them...but that doesn't mean they might not as adults... oh how painful, I am so sorry.
ReplyDeleteAnd your kiddos are adorable...so are you, chicken pox and all. And I am so proud of you loosing the weight... you are a rock star! Now I need to loose weight...glad we are doing it together!
Good gravy, girl! You about had me wigging out. That picture isn't awful!! I think it's sweet with your two boys in your lap.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry you had chicken pox as an adult - awful! My dad has never had them . . . .
You know what strikes me about that picture? You are clearly not yourself from "The Pox" but Haven is cuddling you like there's nothing wrong. That's a momma's boy, right there. And who can focus on anything with that sweet newborn. So sorry you had to miss Seamus' birth.
ReplyDeleteYou are the funniest person I have never met! But, seriously, look at how sweet your boys are... it ALMOST distracted me from you in all your pox-glory.
ReplyDeleteBTW - I never had the chicken pox and I am A LOT older than you were when you got them.
not nearly as bad as you said. I had the pox in college. Fun times. And really, how cute is Haven?!
ReplyDeleteAww, I'm so sorry you had to go through that. And I don't think it's a bad picture. It's very sweet, cuddling with your 2 boys. Such cuties. My best friend from college got chicken pox right before her wedding and had to postpone it. The evil pox!
ReplyDeleteOh!!!! Dear!!! You poor thing. Stupid, miserable chicken pox with really bad timing. And 7 miscarriages - I can't even fathom that amount of emotional devastation.
ReplyDeleteBut. While you may not be looking your best in this photo, it's a BEAUTIFUL image ... with both your babies (at that time) all snuggled into you and not caring a hoot what you looked like.
Chicken pox is weird, isn't it. As a child I was strongly exposed (as in, playing together daily for days with kiddos who then broke out...) no fewer than four times, and I never got chicken pox. Til I was a college student doing a semester in Germany. And there in Germany I got strep throat, a broken nose (!!), and yes ... chicken pox (don't have a clue from whom). At that point, I said screw my post-finals travels, I'm GOING HOME. And I got on that plane and didn't care who I infected. Not one of my prouder moments. And after I left, four other students got the pox, too. :-(
It's beautiful because it's you and your kiddos. Motherhood isn't always pretty.. but it is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteoh girl, i just want to meet you! :) what a gorgeous pic of two little boys who are so loved by their mommy, and the one old enough to know is CLEARLY in love with his mommy.
ReplyDeletei have been thinking of getting the c.p. vaccine for myself..i've heard it's so awful to get as an adult..i think you have convinced me.
and this post was full..my heart broke for you reading 7 miscarriages..i can't imagine what that must have been like, and i'm sorry.
and you rock! even with pox all over and heavier, you are a beautiful woman, and HOW DID YOU do it? (lose the weight?) please send free advice, lol! :)
oh and thanks for the many viewing warnings..but after those, how could we NOT scroll down out of sheer must see curiousity??
Oh it's not as bad as you made it out to be. I was expecting a second head or something. Besides what I see is a new mommy and two beautiful kids.
ReplyDeleteAnd did you say 7 miscarriages...oh my. I need to go back and read some more posts. God Bless you.
Eh, it's not that bad! I mean, I've seen a lot worse (not of you, but in general.)
ReplyDeleteI always feel horrible when I have adults who come in with shingles, although I've never had an adult come in with the pox (probably not a hospitalizeable condition?)
I give my shingles peeps as much of their narcotics as they want:) And I would have done the same for you:)
Get OUT! That was totally not worth the "prepare yourself and back out if you get woozy easily" stuff! My bad photos totally kick your bad photos bootie. :P OK, so it's not the most flattering pic you've ever taken, but kpg is right... Beautiful, Julie!
ReplyDeleteSO sorry about the chix pox at such an important time! That stinks. :(
Hey, by the way, we met Jon Taylor and his darling daughters at the Reagan Library yesterday. Totally fun!
I think you put the cute kids in the pic to distract me. But I still had to laugh OUT LOUD. Isn't awesome how Haven still lovingly wants to cuddle.
ReplyDeletelol.
I have to search for a really good one now!
Robbin
I love pictures like this. With babies just sprawled out across legs. Love them.
ReplyDeleteAnd 7 miscarriages? Wow. The body is one thing...but how hard that must have been on you guys. I have had one. And I still think about that baby...
YOu poor thing. How painful. I remember as a teenager a friend of mine got them and she ws in major pain for a while.
ReplyDeleteCute little baby though and look how sweet your oldest is. What a great picture.
Oh Julie - Haven has the most precious expression on his little face! I just want to squeeze him! And look at teeny tiny Seamus!
ReplyDeleteI hate that you had to miss his birth but you do get to witness him from the moment he came home until forever!
Those darn chicken pox, egads! At least it's behind you! And I can totally relate to losing lots of little ones. I'm glad I did because we wouldn't have ventured down the path that ended up being beyond a blessing! God works wonders. You look beautiful and content in the picture. And, you look stunning now! :)
Am I evil because I laughed? I barely recognized you as the same person. Haven, on the other hand, has the same sweet face. You and Marshall have a great way of really capturing in photos the love your family shares with each other.
ReplyDeleteI love that Brandy was expecting two heads. She SO would expect two heads. And deep down, I know she is uber disappointed.
ReplyDeleteI'm not, though. I took pictures far worse than this LAST WEEK. So I win. I do.
Hey Julie,
ReplyDeleteI contracted the chicken pox at 29 too! It WAS awful!
Oh oh oh. I can't imagine chicken pox as an adult, let alone missing such a critical event. My heart goes out to you, but at least you got a happy ending? And I now know much more about the adult version of the chicken pox than I ever wanted to know. Thanks ;)
ReplyDeleteWow, the pox at 29...yikes. My sister is 33 and is yet to have the chicken pox - and she is a school teacher...to first graders. She's definitely keeping up on her vaccine. Both my brother and me had them in succession and my mom forced her to drink after us so she'd get them and she never did. Maybe she's like Will Smith in I Am Legend and is immune to the dreaded disease.
ReplyDeleteDon't worry, you don't look anything like "the infected" in that picture.
Oh forget it, I'm digging my hole deeper.
I went on CNN with undiagnosed chicken pox at 22--after they were diagnosed, i dreamed about death--it really was AWFUL.
ReplyDeleteYouse guys however, look splendid! Those are some darling boys, ma'am!
Awwww! But look at the cute BOYS in the picture with you!
ReplyDeleteI had the chicken pox when I was 16 and I was miserable. But I didn't have to miss anything except school...you got really screwed on that one!
You know, I love you even more after seeing this picture .. cause we're just human after all .. gorgeous vampires only exist in books (and soon, the movies!)
ReplyDeleteI am totally itchy just thinking about your pox .. But I love how content you look, even with your spots. And I can see why .. what beautiful boys! Seamus really was an incredibly beautiful infant, wasn't he?
Ouch (The chicken pox, not the picture of you...I just wanted to clarify that). I would be all for hunting down the person I got them from. How miserable!
ReplyDeleteUh oh, I haven't had the chicken pox...I think I should go find a kid who has it and just get it over with now!
ReplyDeleteYou may not have been at his birth, but you get to have him every day for the rest of his life. That my friend, is pretty awesome!
I just call that Monday morning my friend.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with the rest of them - Haven curled up on your lap has to be the cutest thing ever. And little Seamus chilling on your lap. I absolutely LOVE this picture. You are going to have to try harder woman. You aren't scaring anyone.
ReplyDeleteI have pictures from when I had poison ivy all over my face. Actually I think it was poison sumac. Regardless, it was disgusting. Maybe I'll be brave enough to share it sometime.
The set up was hilarious and I've seen worse in my bathroom mirror about every other day or so! Beautiful children!
ReplyDeleteYou're right, that IS hideous. And you are brave.
ReplyDeleteAnd just so you know, Julie-wife-of-Zach, my kids are not imunized for anything and they got the chicken pox from thier cousin. In Romania. Who is FULLY immunized. And broke out with Pox. Thankfully, the kids didn't break out until we got home. I just couldn't see extending that trip any longer.
I gotta be honest Julie, it's a pretty bad picture, but, I promise that I have hundreds of photos of me that are just as bad, if not worse. I am not only not brave enough to show them, I am not brave enough to even look at them! My man loved me enough to marry me at an all time high weight and the photos are just hideous.... Even my priest friend said "I cannot believe that is you" when he stumbled across my hidden wedding picture recently! But, the cool thing is that despite the really bad years there are people who love us because they can see past the oozing bumps and the stretch marks! Thank God for great hubbies and innocent, loving children!
ReplyDeleteI love all of your warnings... (are you sure you want to see this?).... hee hee hee.
ReplyDeleteI had the chicken pox when I was 6. To have them at age 29? That had to suck! Yowza!
And about the photo... sure it might not be the most flattering, but I agree that those two boys take the focus away from you.
Ouch. You are my hero again. The only time you had me worried was when you said you were going to show a photo and then later went on to say you couldn't wear any clothes... I wasn't sure I wanted to go there with you yet.
ReplyDeleteMy oldest son got chicken pox three times. Each was a very mild case (which is why he kept getting it I guess), but his daycare provider had to stay home from his HONEYMOON after he caught chicken pox from my son!
Oh, I feel your pain. I had a case of the chicken pox like yours! And 7 miscarriages? I have no idea how you did it. Two nearly undid me. Stacey
ReplyDelete